Burnham signals welfare cuts and seeks Trump common ground
In a Five News interview, Andy Burnham said he is ready to cut the welfare bill and expressed willingness to find common ground with Donald Trump.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is ready to cut the welfare bill and is willing to find common ground with Donald Trump, in an interview with 5 News. Speaking at a Sainsbury's store, he said the country needs to get the welfare bill down and support more young people into work. He also said he would take a pragmatic approach to the US President, saying he tries to find common ground with people.
The interview came as other channels reported that Burnham has refused to rule out tax rises in the upcoming budget. The Times reported that he hinted at tax increases, and on Newsnight he did not unequivocally rule them out. Downing Street was said to be frustrated by the coverage, pointing to his commitment to honour the manifesto.
Burnham also confirmed he will abstain from the upcoming vote on legalising assisted dying, saying he does not want to unduly influence the debate. He said it will be a genuinely free vote.
The Prime Minister has also been discussing devolution, with plans to transfer responsibility for economic growth from the Treasury to Number 10 North. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said the move would empower local areas.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC Two | GB News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Burnham stated he will not participate in the assisted dying vote, citing the need to improve palliative care first. | · | · | · | ||
| Burnham and Pat McFadden said the benefits bill needs to be cut. | · | · | · | ||
| Burnham hinted at tax increases in the budget. | · | · | · | ||
| Andy Burnham stated he does not want to unduly influence the debate, noting it is a free vote. | · | · | · | · | |
| Angela Rayner said Greater Manchester saw faster growth after receiving more powers. | · | · | · | · | |
| Budget speculation has hurt economic growth in recent years. | · | · | · | · | |
| Burnham said he ran the biggest city region in the UK for 10 years and took tough decisions daily. | · | · | · | · | |
| Burnham said he will find a connection with Donald Trump when they meet. | · | · | · | · | |
| Burnham said the UK has one million young people not in education, employment or training. | · | · | · | · | |
| Burnham shelved plans to renationalise Thames Water, citing cost. | · | · | · | · | |
| Burnham will transfer responsibility for economic growth from the Treasury to Number 10 North, described by the Prime Minister as part of a huge transfer of power out of Whitehall. | · | · | · | · | |
| Labour was elected on a promise not to raise income tax on working people. | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Focused on Burnham's plans to transfer economic growth responsibility to Number 10 North, with supportive comments from Angela Rayner. Did not cover the welfare or Trump comments.
- “Andy Burnham says he will transfer responsibility for economic growth from the Treasury to number 10 North.”
- “We saw in Greater Manchester where Andy had more powers, we saw the economy growing faster than the rest of the UK.”
Highlighted Burnham's hints at tax rises and his commitment to cutting the benefits bill, with a critical tone. Also discussed his stance on assisted dying.
- “realistic Burnham hints at tax increases in the budget”
- “Andy Burnham has said it himself, as has the Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, that we need to cut the benefits bill”
Focused on Burnham's refusal to rule out tax rises and the deteriorating fiscal situation, with analysis from economists and former Labour advisors. Also covered police funding in Middlesbrough.
- “Andy Burnham has refused to rule out tax rises in the upcoming budget”
- “I do believe it's possible to provide extra help for people with the cost of living by changing some of our priorities”
- “the fiscal situation has just deteriorated”
The primary interview where Burnham directly addressed welfare cuts and Trump, presenting a positive and pragmatic tone. Also discussed his surprise at the country's desire for hope.
- “We do have to get the welfare bill down.”
- “I am somebody who works with people, who tries to find common ground”
- “I'm looking forward to my first meeting.”
Briefly reported Burnham's intention to abstain from the assisted dying vote, without covering the welfare or Trump comments.
- “The Prime Minister has told MPs he intends to abstain from the upcoming vote on legalising assisted dying”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.